Sex offender sentenced to 10 years in prison

A convicted sex offender was sentenced to 10 years in prison Thursday.

Patrick A. Taft Jr., 59, formerly of 1503 Crescent Road, Greenwich, had pleaded guilty in early December to two counts of sexual battery, both third-degree felonies. As part of a plea deal, prosecutors dismissed three similar charges and five counts of rape.

Taft had posted a $100,000 bond.

The female victim’s mother, an advocate, Taft’s wife and a psychologist spoke during Thursday’s sentencing hearing. Court records indicate the defendant was classified as a Tier III sex offender, which will require Taft to register his address with the sheriff’s office every 90 days in person for the rest of his life. There is no requirement of community notification.

The Huron County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. According to Taft’s indictment, the sex offenses happened between Aug. 11, 2015 through Feb. 7, 2017 involving the same girl, who was a minor.

In other hearings:

• Ashley N. Kidd, 26, of Mansfield, was sentenced Thursday to 90 days of discretionary jail time for permitting child abuse. In a discretionary jail sentence, the defendant’s probation officer can establish when part or all of the sentence is served without a hearing.

Kidd, in December, pleaded guilty to a third-degree felony in exchange for prosecutors dismissing two counts of endangering children and one charge of permitting child abuse.

• Charmaine E. Rumph, 22, of Cleveland, was sentenced Thursday to 90 days of discretionary jail time and ordered to pay $1,065 in restitution for forgery. Also during her three years of probation, she must pay a $250 fine.

• Rebecca L. Wilson, 55, most recently of 46 Glover Ave., was sentenced Thursday to 60 days of discretionary jail time for permitting drug abuse. Also during her three years of probation, she must pay a $250 fine and reimburse the Norwalk Police Department $80 for drug testing.